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Possible or impossible?

A story I’ve heard from a Colombian friend.
A Colombian family of three immigrates to US; husband, wife, one 4 years old daughter.
Before she got married, the wife was in love with a guy she knew little about. Actually she fell in love with his car and money; my opinion. The guy looked to be doing very well. After 2 years into the relationship she finds out, from someone else, the guy was involved with the “guerillas” or something like that. That’s where his money came from. She tries to break up with him. Being aware that she knows already he tried to convince her to join. Again, I didn’t understand if it’s about guerillas, FARC, ELN, Para, drug dealers, whatever. She refuses, gets beaten, even if he threatens to kill her. A few days later, on her way home she’s abducted by his ex and 2 other men, brought to an old empty house, beaten again, raped etc. Somehow, when they where not around, during the night, she managed to escape and run home. She doesn’t tell her parents about what happened but convinced them that, for whatever reason, she has to move to Bogotá same day. Story short, a year later she’s married with a nice bogotan, educated and with a good job. They decided to leave the country looking for a better life. Of course her husband doesn’t have a clue about her past. After they got their papers, only a few weeks before leaving the country guess who knocked at their door? The bad guys! Not only they found out where she lives, but apparently they know about their intention. They give her only one option. If she doesn’t pay ransom 10 grand every 3 month they kill her parents or they come after her and her child. She doesn’t tell anybody or ask someone what is the right thing to do and starts paying the money. Initially the bad guys told her she’s supposed to pay only for 6 months. 4 years later she’s still paying. In my opinion they will never leave her alone. First mistake was to hide the situation from her husband, second, to start paying the ransom, and third, well, never go after a guy just because he has a nice car.
What do you guys think? Is it possible something like this could happen? I mean, we all know about so many people being abducted in Colombia or about extortions. If you’re a young woman that marries a gringo, and you break up with your boyfriend for this reason, is it possible that he would try to get his revenge? Should colombianas be concerned, when they tell the world they get married to a gringo and they will leave the country soon that someone might come after them? For me it’s very plausible. If I’d be one of those bad guys I’d rather do this because the return on “investment” is very high instead of going after poor farm (???) people or so.

By cleo0367 on Aug 3, 2006, 10:13 in Friendly Talkzone.

Miguel says on Aug 3, 2006, 10:23:

Uff Crispeta y cuba libres...estoy esperando...film at 11.

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utopiacowboy says on Aug 3, 2006, 11:27:

Doesn't her family have their own connections? To me it's always necessary in Colombia to have connections to people who have a lot of guns and no qualms about using them. This is why it's no place for a gringo.

Disclaimer: any comment I make is inane and is not to be taken seriously, and is so patently ridiculous that no one should take it seriously, even as an insult.

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cleo0367 says on Aug 3, 2006, 11:53:

Too late anyway People that do something like this know very well about the psychology of their victims. In my opinion she did a huge mistake not telling the family. Now, 4 years later, it's too late. She's very affraid they might keep their word and hurt her family.

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cleo0367 says on Aug 3, 2006, 11:55:

XXXXX
XXXXX

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Rubiazo says on Aug 3, 2006, 13:04:

Possible but just as possible it could be bullshit.

UC is certainly full of it today ;)

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billyb says on Aug 3, 2006, 13:34:

Is the 10k she has... been paying, her money (which I doubt), or her new husband's? I think I smell a rat.

BillyB

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MacGringo says on Aug 3, 2006, 13:34:

UC, i think John Rambo, might do Ok in Colombia!!!!

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MacGringo says on Aug 3, 2006, 13:36:

UC, i think John Rambo, might do Ok in Colombia!!!!

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cleo0367 says on Aug 3, 2006, 13:54:

Both, billyb She takes money from everywhere possible,whatever she earns, from her husband,etc, but in such way no one can point to her. I told my friend it sounds like a telenovela, but he also thinks that, from other stories he heard in Colombia, it's also very possible. The story doesn't end here, I'm just waiting for your opinion first. Anyway is the same way you borrow money from a money lender. Super high interest; like 40% every month after your due date. Whatever you pay back it takes years to cover the loan. I don't know about US but it's very common in Europe......

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billyb says on Aug 3, 2006, 14:22:

Cleo, you can get... those rates in the US also, if you borrow from your friendly neighborhood loan shark. I have no doubt that what you wrote can happen in Colombia (or any other place for that matter), but you have to take every story with a grain of salt. How well do you know this lady? Do you really know that the money her hubby is giving her is going for that purpose? Do you know that she's not really in cahoots with the Ex? Seen it happen.

BillyB

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utopiacowboy says on Aug 3, 2006, 15:16:

Who needs John Rambo when you've got Charlie Brown, DB and SM? Maybe the PBSH posters are that naive about Colombian society. It makes "The Sopranos" look like kindergarten.

Disclaimer: any comment I make is inane and is not to be taken seriously, and is so patently ridiculous that no one should take it seriously, even as an insult.

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Rubiazo says on Aug 3, 2006, 16:02:

Sounds like her problem is in the US NOT in Colombia :P

Personally I'd just say kill whoever you can kill and I'll kill whoever I can and we'll see who fucking wins. You never come out ahead giving money to a blackmailer.

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Mr. Hollywood says on Aug 3, 2006, 16:11:

10 GRAND Isn't ten thousand pesos quite a bargain? Less than a cappuccino a day at Cafe Oma.

I've heard of way worse shit happening in Colombia. You have to ask yourself the question, though, if she hasn't even told her husband or family about this, why do you know about it?

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juanalejo says on Aug 3, 2006, 20:36:

Political Assylum Did this family by any chance ask for political assylum in the USA? Sounds like the typical story Colombians make up to get political assylum and therefore being able to have the easy ride into a legal job.

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gabo4ever says on Aug 4, 2006, 02:49:

I think the main question is (expanding on what Mr. Hol said) is who told you, how did they find out and why is it relevant to you.

Are you involved with the lady in anyway?

Theres still more information needed to come to a conclusion on wether to believe or not.

Although one fact is clear...I have heard and seen worse actual events happening in Colombia, so this one based on that fact, could be true. (But after considering the above)

La Felicidad es un Don o simplemente una reaccion?

Y por si se atreven: Watsamatamaracuya?

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cleo0367 says on Aug 9, 2006, 11:05:

I don't know the girl, but my friend does. At one point, they were together for a short period of time. He tried her. He told her he can pay 50 grand for her release. She said in all honesty if she pays them the money, they would ask for more so she declined the money.
Nowadays she works the streets, during the day. He met her a couple of weeks ago and offered again to help. Again she declined saying they want her on the streets. Strange, very strange.....A real puta would take the money, lie, play him. We both agreed it might be true. Of course I can't say the whole story. Who knows how my friend would end up here on PBH. Or her husband. And you know why I'm writting about it? Because I used to have a great relationship with a girl from Bucaramanga a few years back. I was puzzeled by her behaviour. Mood changes, but in a nice way. My friend tells me she used to call him to come over when she was alone, but not for secs just DFK, then she would ask him to leave. She said "maybe we'll meet in another life". She doesn't do drugs, doesn't smoke or drink.

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cleo0367 says on Aug 9, 2006, 11:09:

Political Assylum No, they didn't apply for political assylum. As a matter of fact she got her citizenship in 2005.

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billyb says on Aug 12, 2006, 23:42:

She's working the streets and she's married? BillyB

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cleo0367 says on Aug 14, 2006, 08:03:

Yes Billyb... Only during the day. By 5pm she's at home waiting her husband to come from work with a smile on her face. He doesn't have a clue...

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